Mitsubishi Motors Cup Winners Get Motoring

The inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Cup winners have now picked up the keys to their prizes from the competition’s Ambassador Emily King.

Katie Hancock, the winner in the BE100 category collected a Mitsubishi Outlander GX4 from Hawkins Mitsubishi in Cornwall while the winner of the BE90 category, Sophie Walker, picked up an ASX 5 from JT Hughes in Telford.

Katie, 33, a safety and compliance manager from St Columb, near Newquay, was the runaway winner in the BE100 category of the eventing championship, which offered amateur riders from all over Great Britain the chance to compete for honours ahead of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May.

Katie, riding Kilcandra Rambo Ray, said: “I have come back down to earth since winning but I’m still overwhelmed by it all. It was a fantastic achievement and it will be the highlight of my entire life. I can’t thank Mitsubishi enough for the prizes. I keep pinching myself because I can’t believe I get the car for a year. It’s absolutely amazing.”

The winners of the competition, which has taken over from the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championship, receive a new Mitsubishi vehicle of their choice for a year, £600 prize money, trophy and commemorative plaque to keep. Other support includes the use of VIP facilities at the finals, access to professional advice and equipment, and branded merchandise.

There are two levels of competition: BE100 and BE90  – jumping over 1.0m- and 0.9m-high fences respectively.

Sophie, 22, an assistant buyer from High Ercall, Shropshire, riding Rhapsody RFW, said: “I still can’t believe I won, it’s something I only ever dreamed of. I went there aiming for the top half, so to win was just incredible. There’s no way I expected to win a car, all the prizes are amazing and Mitsubishi have been very, very generous. I’m really excited to receive the ASX.”

Mitsubishi Motors Cup Ambassador Emily King, who made her debut at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, said: “Both Katie and Sophie put in amazing performances during the Mitsubishi Motors Cup and they were deserved winners. For the amateur rider, competing in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup is an incredible achievement.

“It takes dedication and determination, and it is wonderful that so many of the competitors were able to achieve their dreams and ride at Badminton. I am proud to be the Ambassador for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup. The support of Mitsubishi Motors for this competition encouraging amateur riders is fantastic and something we all appreciate.”

Toby Marshall, sales and marketing director for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: “Our long association with equestrianism at the amateur level is something we are very proud of. The Mitsubishi Motors Cup is a prestigious competition and we are delighted to see how important it is for those taking part. Our congratulations go to Katie and Sophie. I am sure they will enjoy driving their chosen Mitsubishi vehicles.”

The Mitsubishi Motors Cup competition at Badminton is one of the National Championships in the British Eventing calendar. British Eventing is the governing body for the sport of eventing in Great Britain. Eventing is a unique combination of dressage, cross-country over fixed fences and show jumping in one exciting activity. www.britisheventing.com